Note: Laris Emino Tamarut will be appearing as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical (BETM) in Zürich, Switzerland, presented by MAAG Halle, from October 24, 2025 to February 15, 2026.
Debut: October 25, 2025 (Zürich, Switzerland)
Total Performances as Billy to Date: 1 (As of 31-Oct-2025)
Joining the cast of the Zurich production of BETM for its second season is 12 year old Laris Emino Tamarut. Laris hails from Reinach, which is a municipality in the district Arlesheim in the canton of Basel-Country in Northwest Switzerland. Laris lives in Basel with his parents, two older siblings and his twin brother. He is attending his first year of secondary school there.
In his early life, like a lot of young men, Laris was very active and enthusiastic about participating in a wide variety of sports, including soccer, tennis, acrobatics, judo and boxing.
At the age of seven, he discovered hip hop and breakdancing, both of which he continues to enjoy to this day. Not that it’s always been easy. Like many boys who dance, Laris encountered some prejudice. He says “”When I first told people about my new hobby, I was laughed at.” He doesn’t know why. But he didn’t let it discourage him. “And then I just kept getting better.” In fact, he even made it into the show group in his dance school as the only boy and regularly participates in competitions. He has already become Swiss champion several times, both solo and with a group, and has been able to participate in the World Championships three times. The highlight: In the spring of 2025, he showcased his talent on a side stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.
Laris has performed several times at Musical Theater Basel, at the Kinder-Charivari, and at the Eurovision Song Contest. That involvement gave him a taste of being on stage and led him to a new passion.
But to play Billy Elliot, Laris would need ballet and tap dancing skills. About the difference between his breakdancing and hip-hop vs ballet and tap dancing, Laris says “”They’re different worlds”. In hip-hop, everything is relaxed and free. It’s completely different in ballet. You have to stretch and always stand perfectly straight. Every single movement has to be perfect,” Laris explains. Although he had no ballet experience whatsoever when he auditioned for Billy, his potential was quickly recognized at the audition.
Though Laris admits to feeling a bit nervous before performances in front of several hundred spectators at Zurich’s MAAG Hall, now he’s really thrilled to play the lead role of Billy — truly a dream come true for him.
Upon his debut, Laris became the 385th performer in the world to portray Billy Elliot on stage in a professional, regional or community theatre production of the musical.
Just before the start of Season 2 of BETM in Switzerland, Laris recorded this video to tell you about himself. It’s in German but English subtitles are available. From the video the reader can at least get a look at some of the preparations Laris is making to appear as Billy and also get a glimpse of his personality.
For more information about Laris, visit:
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